‘No stopping or standing’ signcalls for safe measures
According to students who must go to the Multipurpose Facility often, the instructions on this sign get ignored daily. Editorial writer Grace Williamson used the attached article to call on parents and students to heed its instructions. “Not only will proper observance of the rules clear up all traffic confusion because the road will have space for cars to drive, but then students can safely cross at the white crosswalk to the MPF in the open where other cars can see them,” Williamson said.
August 30, 2018
Parents stop in front of the Multi-purpose Facility, better known as the MPF, to drop off and pick up their athletes daily – right in front of the four signs that depict in bright red letters the following message: “No stopping or standing.” This activity causes traffic confusion for cars driving past the MPF, and it creates a safety issue for students walking around the stopped cars to get in the facility. The student handbook states clearly that cars may not stop or park in front of the MPF.
Even if it is just for a few seconds, no cars should stop there to drop off or pick up students unless it is to allow students to walk through the crosswalk.
Violating the established rule also creates an unsafe situation for students who are coming from the school to the MPF because the stopped parents are blocking the view of the crosswalk, causing a situation where other drivers may be unable to see the other students and other vehicles, which could lead to a collision. Traffic jams also can occur in this area because other cars cannot differentiate from the parents parked in front of the building or from those vehicles whose drivers are only trying to get through the area. Not following the instructions on the posted signs sets a horrible example for new student drivers, and it continues to create the potential for accidents and for injuries.
All students should follow the guidelines of the handbook and respect the rules while on school property, regardless of whether or not following those rules results in a minor inconvenience. Although it may take longer for parents to pull into and drop off their students in the parking lot across from the MPF, it is safer for everyone. Safety should be everyone’s priority, not time.
Not only will proper observance of the rules clear up all traffic confusion because the road will have space for cars to drive, but then students can safely cross at the white crosswalk to the MPF in the open where other cars can see them. The rule may require an extra few feet to walk, but the traffic through the parking lots will run smoothly, and all students should be able to arrive safely.
